Definitions

Activated Sludge - Microorganisms feed on the sewage breaking down the organic material into inert solids, water and various gasses. We maintain the proper mix of "food" to organisms, air and pH.
Anaerobic digestion - All accumulated solids eventually end up in the digester for further treatment. Anaerobic digesters are sealed with no addition of oxygen to the tank. With mixing, strict control of temperatures and pH ranges, solids are reduced to their inert component so they can be processed further or disposed of.
Clarification - A tank in which flow velocities are slowed to the point that the heavier solids will settle out of the water by gravity. Those solids are removed from the bottom of the tanks and pumped to other processes for further treatment.
Chlorination - The process of disinfection. Chlorine is applied to the treated effluent before it is released to the stream to kill harmful bacteria.

Dechlorination - Small amounts of chlorine are harmful to some of the smaller organisms found in the stream. We must reduce the chlorine levels before discharge to the stream to prevent any harmful effects.

DO - An abbreviation of dissolved oxygen. A measurement of the amount of oxygen available in a sample for biological activity.

EQS - An abbreviation of Exceptional Quality Sludge. This designation is applied to sludge treatment processes that meet the most stringent treatment standards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This designation also has the least restrictions as to reuse.

Grit - Any sand, stone and other mostly non-organic material that settles easily and that can cause excessive wear in equipment if not removed.

N-Viro - A patented process in which waste water solids are treated to a very high degree so they can be safely reused.

Pre-aeration - A process that "freshens" the sewage by adding dissolved oxygen. This process makes the sewage easier to treat in later processes.

Screening - An accumulation of rags, paper products, and other products that are intercepted before passage into the treatment plant to protect pumps and other mechanical devices.

Sludge - Any accumulation of solids collected or removed in a plant during the process of treating the water.

Tertiary - A more advanced form of treatment. In our plant, 2 large, settling lagoons are located at the end of all other processes.